trouble with gorgonians

[rknapp]

I recently bought a purple gorgonian at the lfs. Had it about 2 weeks now and it isn't looking so good. My tank is a 90g with plenty of live rock and sand. I've got 4 fish, 2 shrimp, 5 or 6 corals, snails, chocolate chip starfish, crabs and misc. 2 times a week I use Kent Marines' microvert to feed the filter feeders. Water quality is very good, so I can't undersrand why the gorgonian isn't doing well. I'd hate to loose it. Could anybody tell me how to care for it? Lighting is 4-96w pc. What kind of current, lighting and food? Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[jaytee]

Keep in mind that i am a beginner ..... so this is a beginners perspective ... i was told that gorgonains are hard to keep .... i inquired about some at my lfs and they steered me clear of them.... said they would not be somethig for a beginner to have , stating they would most likely die and if they did last wouldnt be more than a couple of months..... now maybe as i get more experience i may try one .... now maybe they all arent hard to keep , as i said im new to the hobby ..... they do leave behind nice tank decor when they die , little solace i know.
Happy saltwatering!

 

[rockster]

Gorgonians are not photosynthetic and do not rely on lighting for food. The like strong random currents that deliver phytoplanktons(I am assuming you water parameters are optimal).

 

[dburr]

Sorry, I disagree with both responses.
My first corels I got were gargonians. The purple ones, the ones that do need light and strong current. I still have them.
One Ithink is a slit finger(or something) and one is a corky and I also have 2 ribbons. One gold and one purple. The purple is a real slow grower.
I first got them when I had 80 watts of NO lights. They were ok, but when the PC's came in, look out, they shot right up. They were about 3" and now they are like 9" with shoots coming out all over. One had some kind of RTN, but I just cut that off and replanted it the rock and it has fully recovered.
Now with the MH lights I can't wait to see what happens.
I have them on the bottom of the tank and in a good current.
I feed them dt's live phytoplankton every couple weeks.(I don't use a skimmer, if you do, maybe more often). I also crush up some fish flake in water with seachems reef plus and mix it up and squirt it directly on the corels. They love it.
Is yours showing any kind of RTN or what is it doing?
HTH
DBurr

 

[dburr]

Hey your from CT. Been to Amity LFS, catalog prices!

 

[rknapp]

Yeah, I've been to the Amity store. They are still building it. Good people and decent pricing, but don't know alot about reefs, only the son, but he doesn't spend much time with you.
Know any other good LFS in Conn?

 

[dburr]

Their is one about 5 miles from me in haddam. They did mostly internet and last year they opened a store. It's called Paragon Aquatics and it's on bridge St. They still have the website also.
They are really helpful and know alot about reefs. The prices are better than alot of stores.
Their are a couple others I go to but the prices are high. I don't know any others near you other than amity.
HTH

 

[dazed1]

I'm in CT too. Where is Amity ? I live in waterbury and go to the waterbury aquarium (?). Not too stocked on SW, but helpful owner and get's good stuff.

 

[dburr]

I didn't know Waterbury had an aquaium.LOL
Where is it?
I've only been to Amity once since it's just opened. But I can only try to give you directions.
I live just south of Middletown, so I head south on Wilber cross prwy. Go under the tunnel (you know, the big one, I think it's the only one). It's the next exit. I don't know the #. Take a left, at the end of the ramp. First intersection take a left, and at the next also. Look for the plaza on the right.
They were called worldwidepetsupply and that is the .com site if it's still up. I don't know the new name. Maybe RKNAPP does.
IRHTH (I really hope this helps)

 

[dazed1]

Originally posted by dburr
I didn't know Waterbury had an aquaium.LOL
Where is it?
I've only been to Amity once since it's just opened. But I can only try to give you directions.
I live just south of Middletown, so I head south on Wilber cross prwy. Go under the tunnel (you know, the big one, I think it's the only one). It's the next exit. I don't know the #. Take a left, at the end of the ramp. First intersection take a left, and at the next also. Look for the plaza on the right.
They were called worldwidepetsupply and that is the .com site if it's still up. I don't know the new name. Maybe RKNAPP does.
IRHTH (I really hope this helps)
Lol.. yeah Waterbury has an aquarium. If u call "petstores" as aquarium's then there are 4. lol.
This one is on Lakewood Ave. Do you know the ***** on 69 ? opp the wal-mart. There is a lane next to it called Lakewood. near the Mc donald's and stuff.
And i dont know Wilber cross prwy . Moved here recently, well, not really recently, but dont know much that way.
Edit : ok, i found driving directions to worldwidepetsupply.
And here is the one in waterbury : Directions

 

[rknapp]

It's in the Amity Plaza. From Wtby take Rt8 south, get off the Rt63 exit in Naug and head towards New Haven. Just before you get to the intersection with Rt69 Amity Plaza is on your right. The're up in the corner of the plaza.